Traffic shift announced for Route 33
over Peddie Lake in Hightstown Bridge repair project progressing to next stage of construction

(Trenton) - NJDOT officials today announced a traffic shift is planned on Route 33 (Main Street) over Peddie Lake/Rocky Brook in downtown Hightstown as the next stage of reconstruction begins on the bridge. The existing bridge, located in the heart of downtown Hightstown, was damaged during Hurricane Irene in September 2011.

On Wednesday night, July 25, NJDOT’s contractor, Berto Construction Inc., is scheduled to switch the new construction zone to the northbound side of the bridge. To accommodate that work, NJDOT will reopen the existing southbound travel lane on Route 33, close the northbound right-turn lane and shift two-way traffic onto the southbound side of the bridge. Route 33 will remain reduced from three lanes to two, with one lane maintained in each direction.

• The northbound through lane will be used as a combination through and right-turn lane.
• The bridge will be closed to pedestrian traffic on the northbound side, but reopened to pedestrians along the southbound side.

Large trucks – more than 7 tons in weight – will continue to be restricted from traversing the bridge during construction. Local delivery trucks weighing more than 7 tons will have access into Hightstown to make deliveries, but will not be allowed to cross the bridge. Highstown PD has been enforcing the restriction, and will be assisted periodically by NJ State Police.

NJDOT began fully replacing the damaged sidewalks and parapets on both sides of the bridge including new bridge rails in the first week of July. NJDOT has scheduled the construction in stages so that one travel lane on Route 33 in both directions will remain open to passenger vehicle traffic at all times. NJDOT anticipates the $655,000 project being completed in fall 2012.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. In the case of rain, the traffic switch will be postponed for one night to Thursday, July 26. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org real-time travel information.